Music meets philanthropy as the New England Conservatory in Boston preps to auction an 18th-century Stradivarius violin to fund scholarships for its students. Crafted by Antonio Stradivari during what is hailed as his "Golden Period," this revered instrument, known as the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius," comes with an eye-catching estimate ranging from $12 million to $18 million. CBS Boston reports that it's slated to potentially become the most expensive instrument ever sold at auction, potentially smashing the 2011 record of $15.9 million fetched by the "Lady Blunt" Stradivarius.
The violin, named for two of its renowned former owners—Hungarian violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim and Chinese-born virtuoso Si-Hon Ma—is as rich in history as it is in tone. Ma, who moved to the United States in 1948, once owned the violin before bequeathing it to the conservatory following his death in 2009. A statement obtained by WCVB detailed the instrument's extraordinary ownership history and its association with the premiere of Brahms' "Violin Concerto in D Major," played by Joachim in 1879. Sotheby's, tasked with the auction, highlighted the violin's exceptional preservation and storied past.
Sotheby's Americas President Mari-Claudia Jiménez called attention to the Stradivarius' significance, stating, "It was made during the Golden Period by Antonio Stradivari. So, this is the peak of his output. This is the best violin of this era." She conveyed this to CBS Boston, emphasizing the craftsmanship of the time-spanning masterpiece. The impending auction is a harmonious balance of cultural preservation and educational investment, with all proceeds aimed at affording more students the opportunity to study at the illustrious institution.
The cause resonates with NEC students who understand the importance of financial aid in their educational pursuits. Jazz vocalist student Aviana Gedler told CBS Boston, "[Scholarships are] extremely important. It was probably the biggest factor going into my decision to come here. I was really fortunate to receive a good scholarship from the school and I don't think I would have been able to if I didn't." Similarly, jazz piano student Jake Walters stressed the significance of such support, saying, "It is a very expensive school and it helps out a lot of people. It's a great violin but if no one is playing it I don't think it's worth having around." These sentiments echo the conservatory's goal in bridging the gap between invaluable artifacts and invaluable education.
The auction of the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius at Sotheby's in New York on Friday, February 7, is set to make history. It's not just about selling a priceless instrument, but also about supporting an institution that helps train the next generation of musicians.
